Post by Tim Wescott on Feb 14, 2004 15:11:32 GMT -5
ADVERSITY !
"Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records," Cody Colchado Jr.
Cody Colchado Jr. was born in the Lone Star State of Texas, but raised in Bakersfield, CA. He was born with a 70-75% hearing loss, but other than that – no problems. In 1981, he was an enthusiastic high school football player. One day at practice, he hit his head on a sprinkler, and that changed the course of his life. Soon he was losing his vision, and a doctor told him the injury would cause total blindness within 18 months.
He continued to play football as a high school senior, relying on cues from the other players to line up correctly. By playing center, he could fool the other teams into thinking he could see. What kind of courage would it take for you to run blindfolded onto a football field to practice or play?
When he was unable to continue playing football, he began powerlifting with the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes. He successfully powerlifted for 4 years, then took a break. Seven years ago (1994) when Team USA lost the Powerlifting Team Title to Iran, the US Team coach invited Cody to rejoin the team.
Cody is now a 7 time National Champion and a 3 time World Champion with several records to his credit. At the WABDL World Championships in Reno, Nevada (this November) I saw him bench 402 and deadlift 600. The 600# deadlift was a Blind World Record for the 242# class. The 242# Bench Press World Record for blind athletes is 407, so he is getting close to that also! (Note: Cody just emailed to advise me that he went back and hit a 404 bench, to break the record in the blind bench press! He also tried to pull 603 to boost the Deadlift record, but he lost his grip on the bar. Next time!)
Cody credits several other blind athletes with inspiration and assistance, including his blind teammates Steve Pena and Nick Sinardi. Steve Pena took Best Lifter honors at the WABDL World's in Reno, with a fine 534 deadlift. Steve also benched 474 in the 220's. Nick Sinardi is an outstanding deadlifter as well, pulling a huge 540 in Reno! Kudos to Coach Robert Contreras for his outstanding work with these well-conditioned athletes!
Coach Contreras is also a professor at University of Texas Pan-American, where Cody is studying for his B.S. in Adaptive Physical Education. This is not "rehab" training, but rather assistance for other persons with disabilities. In this way, Cody will be able to help other blind athletes in the future.
Cody's wife of 10 years is Jolee – currently pregnant with Cody III. Jolee is a Special Education teacher, and the mother of their beautiful 8-year-old daughter Tabatha. Every athlete benefits from a stable home life, and Cody credits much of his success to the support of his wife.
He is a Christian, and acknowledges that he couldn't compete without the Lord. He lifts "for the Lord and all people with disabilities." Interestingly, Cody visualizes all of the blind athletes pulling on the bar when he lifts. This is a great mental picture – don't you think?
Cody is a real team player, and a credit to the sport of powerlifting. I'm glad I got the opportunity to meet him, and look forward to seeing him again. His joy in the lifting is contagious! If anyone wants to contact him about his special training, visualization, or any other reason – he can be reached at: coachcodyUSA@hotmail.com
"Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records," Cody Colchado Jr.
Cody Colchado Jr. was born in the Lone Star State of Texas, but raised in Bakersfield, CA. He was born with a 70-75% hearing loss, but other than that – no problems. In 1981, he was an enthusiastic high school football player. One day at practice, he hit his head on a sprinkler, and that changed the course of his life. Soon he was losing his vision, and a doctor told him the injury would cause total blindness within 18 months.
He continued to play football as a high school senior, relying on cues from the other players to line up correctly. By playing center, he could fool the other teams into thinking he could see. What kind of courage would it take for you to run blindfolded onto a football field to practice or play?
When he was unable to continue playing football, he began powerlifting with the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes. He successfully powerlifted for 4 years, then took a break. Seven years ago (1994) when Team USA lost the Powerlifting Team Title to Iran, the US Team coach invited Cody to rejoin the team.
Cody is now a 7 time National Champion and a 3 time World Champion with several records to his credit. At the WABDL World Championships in Reno, Nevada (this November) I saw him bench 402 and deadlift 600. The 600# deadlift was a Blind World Record for the 242# class. The 242# Bench Press World Record for blind athletes is 407, so he is getting close to that also! (Note: Cody just emailed to advise me that he went back and hit a 404 bench, to break the record in the blind bench press! He also tried to pull 603 to boost the Deadlift record, but he lost his grip on the bar. Next time!)
Cody credits several other blind athletes with inspiration and assistance, including his blind teammates Steve Pena and Nick Sinardi. Steve Pena took Best Lifter honors at the WABDL World's in Reno, with a fine 534 deadlift. Steve also benched 474 in the 220's. Nick Sinardi is an outstanding deadlifter as well, pulling a huge 540 in Reno! Kudos to Coach Robert Contreras for his outstanding work with these well-conditioned athletes!
Coach Contreras is also a professor at University of Texas Pan-American, where Cody is studying for his B.S. in Adaptive Physical Education. This is not "rehab" training, but rather assistance for other persons with disabilities. In this way, Cody will be able to help other blind athletes in the future.
Cody's wife of 10 years is Jolee – currently pregnant with Cody III. Jolee is a Special Education teacher, and the mother of their beautiful 8-year-old daughter Tabatha. Every athlete benefits from a stable home life, and Cody credits much of his success to the support of his wife.
He is a Christian, and acknowledges that he couldn't compete without the Lord. He lifts "for the Lord and all people with disabilities." Interestingly, Cody visualizes all of the blind athletes pulling on the bar when he lifts. This is a great mental picture – don't you think?
Cody is a real team player, and a credit to the sport of powerlifting. I'm glad I got the opportunity to meet him, and look forward to seeing him again. His joy in the lifting is contagious! If anyone wants to contact him about his special training, visualization, or any other reason – he can be reached at: coachcodyUSA@hotmail.com